For anyone with a similar problem in the future:
A local technician informed me that the PIDs do fail, and it's not uncommon. The PID was surprisingly quick to be delivered from the UK - about three weeks (and, even with postage, it was about 25% cheaper). Replacing the old one did solve the problem so it wasn't the high temp sensors or the PID sensor on the boiler that was the cause (as it might have been). I was also advised to check that the steam valve wasn't leaking as it sits directly above the PID on these machines and could have been the reason the original unit failed. In my case it wasn't so it seems that the PID just gave up the ghost. I am back in operation!
For anyone else having difficulties sourcing a new PID for this machine:
The PID in the Rocket Giotto is the same and would be an alternative replacement.
As an aside:
The Aeropress I bought several years ago for traveling did OK whilst I didn't have any other option. My preference was to use the inverted method with 18g coffee and 60ml of water to produce a concentrated shot that I then mixed with milk, or hot water and milk.
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Help request re Profitec 500 PID
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Ok, i get that . Shipping a machine can be expensive and risk of damage...
It's just that in the 4 years it's been out, i've never had to replace a PID in a pro500 yet... If your comfortable checking voltage / continuity etc, i'd first be checking the high temp thermostats and then if the PID is getting 240v when machine turned on . I repeat , only check this if you know what you are doing / qualified etc...
As sacsnob rightly pointed out, if the pump is running when the lever is lifted, it's unlikely to be the low water cut out... just had to check that first
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In reply to Kofekitt
I appreciate your reply and I know the sensible thing to do is to have it looked at professionally but I have been unable to find anyone near to me to do so. Even if they are capable, they are so busy at the moment they are not taking on any new work and to send it down to Jetblack would cost considerably more than the part. So this approach is a bit of a gamble but at least it could save me from a few months without a coffee machine if it works out. Living a long way away from a service centre, I have always hoped that I would be able to maintain and repair this machine myself. For most things I have been able to find information about diagnosing and repairing problems but with regard to this issue I have not.
I have noted the large number of people who have agreed with you and this suggests there may be more to this problem than the PID itself. Time for more research I think.
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the safety thermostats and the possibility of a blocked valve - neither should affect the PID, if the PID's on but the machine's not heating up I'd check the SSR relay. If the PID's not even on though I'd suspect the transformer inside the PID is faulty.
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I have to ask the obvious - is there water in the tank / is the float fitted correctly? The PID will not power up if the machine thinks it has no water
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Help request re Profitec 500 PID
Hoping some kind soul can clarify a problem with my Profitec 500 PID.
A few days ago I lost steaming pressure and hot water although I can get water through the group head. The machine had already been on for a couple of hours when it happened and I had pulled a shot earlier. Now I don't have any lights on the PID and the buttons are unresponsive. The machine is about three years old.
I suspect that I need to replace the PID but they are exceedingly difficult to source at the moment. Jetblack don't have any and they have no ETA for a restock. I have searched Australia, USA and UK coffee specialists and I have found just one available in the UK. I am prepared to purchase this but before I do, considering the expense and delay, I thought I'd ask if there could be any other reason I should be looking for.
I have considered the safety thermostats and the possibility of a blocked valve, but I can't see how these would affect the PID. Any help would be appreciated before I grab the one I have found.

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